"THE ELEVENTH HOUR LABORER" - MAT 20:1-16

[By Robert Arthur]

A Bible Class Booklet No. 6

Christ Jesus gave a fascinating story in Matthew Chapter 20 about a business man, a contractor who went out to contract and hire laborers to work on his field. The business man was tactful in his bargain with all the batches of laborers before they agreed to work on the field. Each group was to work for a specific compensation after the hard day's work. A given amount of money [a denarius] was the offer placed. An agreement was fully signed; task outlaid and work begun for a day.

I know there are number of expounded commentaries and Bible study materials on this parable. However, I will digress a little and speak more on the "eleventh hour laborers".
From the parable we could see all the batches of laborers from the first, third, six to the ninth hour worked perfectly well on the vineyard as it was agreed upon. They all worked hard. At the end though their complaints were logically reasonable but not legitimate, it is not the subject matter for today. They complained "These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day" Mat 20:12 [NASV]

As Bible thinking student two questions rise as I always study this scripture.
Q.1. Why the need for the master to hire an additional last hour workers or laborers?
Q.2. What are the expectations of the master from those late hour laborers?

The human minds cannot fully comprehend the infinite wisdom of the Master [representation of God in this parable] in the business to rent a late laborer to work on his field. It is the sole prerogative of this master. But I think the master was generous and loving to give to 'all' the opportunity to earn a reasonable living. Thus God [Master] who through the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus calls, invites all to come to be part of His ministry and serve as faithful laborers. Those who humbly accept this offer to work on the Master's field receive or earn a just living for a day [Salvation] - Tit 2:11, Heb 7:25, 1 John 2:25

From my studies I gathered the following reasons why I think the landowner hired this last hour laborers. His expectations from them are very keen and of interest to him. Hence the master considerably thought of new expertise to complete his mission at that late hour.

THE MASTER’S REASONS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR CONTRACTING LAST HOUR LABORERS TO WORK ON HIS FIELD

1. The last group of laborers should know and consider their services as needed and important to complete the business goals of their master.

2. The eleventh hour workers should not work to jeopardize the hard and toil work achievements of their fellow former workers.

3. The last group of workers should know and consider that they are also hired by one same paymaster.

4. The eleventh hour laborers are required to use their fresh hands and exert new effort because of the one hour time duration left.

5. The last hour laborers should not be materialistic conscious.

6. Those that are the last batch of workers should look up for the higher reward and that their landowner is just and faithful.

7. The last hour workers should work to the satisfactory of their master. 

8. The last hour laborers should avoid laziness.

9. The last minute laborers should work effectively and efficiently in compliment of the deficiencies in the first other batches of workers.

10. Those hired in the last hour should avoid and snub the series of complains they might have met.
11. The eleventh hour laborers should know that if not by goodness and mercy shown on them by their master they would have gone home with empty hands and stomachs.
12. Those who were hired late should not try to be in competition with the other fellow workers.
13. The eleventh hour laborers should consider themselves as team players and not as proud servants.
14. Finally, the last hour batch of laborers must be productive.

Now let us visit the account by Matthew. He begins the parable by saying "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard" Mat 20:1 [NASV]

The New Testament many times used "the Kingdom of Heaven" and "the Church of God" as the same thing. Mat 16:18-19. Therefore this parable is speaking about the church of God, the Christians, the believers or the servants of God who are called into the ministry of God and Christ through the gospel to work as workers or laborers for God in His vineyard. 

The Apostle Paul calls the Christians at Corinth fellow workers. "For we are God's fellow workers ..." 1 Cor 3:9

The Christians are therefore fellow workers in the field of our Master Lord Jesus. We are hired [contracted, employed] to work in that last hour to complete the mission goals of our Lord Jesus. The account reads "And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day long?' They said to him, 'Because no one hired us'. He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too". Mat 20:6-7

Paul referred to our time as "in these last days" - Heb 1:2, 2 Tim 3:1. This is synonymous to "last hour" - 1 John 2:18

Our calling into the kingdom of Christ Jesus is very timely. It is of keen interest and important to the Lord. It is not perchance or automatic that we are children of God. It is power and authority to be called sons of God. Each child is a coworker and is assigned and entrusted with special God given talent in the ministry of God. He is therefore expected to work hard to produce good harvest.

SIX EXPECTATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS REASONS OF BEING A FELLOW WORKER IN GOD’S VINEYARD

1. The faithful Christian worker should use his talent for the profit of the kingdom of God which is the church of living God. Mat 25:14-30, 1 Tim 3:15

2. The fellow Christian worker should serve the body of Christ with his gift and ability. Rom 12:5, 1 Pet 4:10

3. The fellow Christian worker must be productive. He must bear good and more fruit. John 15:16
4. The fellow Christian worker should never be an "eye service" servant. Col 3:23-25
5. The faithful Christian worker should desist from lukewarm attitude. Rev 3:16-18
6. The fellow Christian worker should forget about his immediate past idleness and work hard. Mat 20:7, Phil 3:12-13

Remember the faithful and generous landowner [Christ Jesus] has promised to reward every faithful, fruitful and productive fellow worker on the field of God's vineyard ultimately.

And the Lord said "... Call the laborers and pay them their wages.... but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you". Mat 20:8, 14

Additional copies of this article sent free on request.                                                                    Ask for our sample packet of Bible Class Materials.

THE CHURCH OF LIVING GOD MINISTRY

BIBLE CLASS MATERIALS

P. O. Box ........

Agona Swedru, Ghana

Email: thechurchoflivinggod5@gmail.com

Tel no: 233242647193 / 233278635786